McKinneyVento Homeless Education Assistance Act

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McKinney-Vento Homeless Education
Assistance Act

• Region 12 ESC
• December 6, 2006

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Our Goal
Understand McKinney-Vento Act and Texas Education
Code regarding students in homeless situations
so that..
systems can be established to address
compliance.
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For many years, our image of a homeless person
was that of a single, older man.
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The Reality
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(No Transcript)
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As many as 190,000 Texas students experience
homelessness during the year.
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Why do people become homeless?
Poverty
Lack of affordable housing
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Who is homeless?
The Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act Says that children and youth who lack a
fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence are homeless.
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Who is homeless?
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Who is homeless?
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Who is homeless?
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Who is homeless?
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Who is homeless?
Families living in doubled-up situations
because they have lost their housing
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Who is homeless?
Children and youth in temporary foster care while
awaiting placement
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What stressors do students in homeless situations
experience?
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Transient / unstable lifestyle
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Transient / unstable lifestyle Living in
crowded conditions
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Transient / unstable lifestyle Living in
crowded conditions Frequently changing schools

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Transient / unstable lifestyle Living in
crowded conditions Frequently changing schools
Sporadic school enrollment/attendance
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Transient / unstable lifestyle Living in
crowded conditions Frequently changing schools
Sporadic school enrollment/attendance
Inadequate personal hygiene
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Transient / unstable lifestyle Living in
crowded conditions Frequently changing schools
Sporadic school enrollment/attendance
Inadequate personal hygiene Shabby or unclean
clothing
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Transient / unstable lifestyle Living in
crowded conditions Frequently changing schools
Sporadic school enrollment/attendance
Inadequate personal hygiene Shabby or unclean
clothing Poor health / nutrition
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There is GREAT news!!
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State and Federal laws address educational challen
ges.
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Texas Education Code
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• The Texas Education Code
• 25.001(b)(5)

Admit students that are homeless, regardless of
the residence of the student, of either parent
of the student, or of the student's guardian or
other person having lawful control of the
person....
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• The Texas Education Code
• 25.001(d)

For a person under the age of 18 years to
establish a separate residence for the purpose
of attending the public schools, the person's
presence in the school district must not be for
the primary purpose of participation in
extra-curricular activities.
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Federal Statute
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• The McKinney-Vento
• Homeless Assistance Act

• defines and protects the rights of
• homeless students to enroll in,
• attend, and succeed in our
• public schools

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The McKinney-Vento Act mandates that . . .
every school district is required to have a
homeless education liaison, and
the liaison is required to perform specific
tasks.
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Homeless Liaison
Campus Liaisons
Everyone is aware of the liaison
Liaison has autonomy to make decisions
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Key Provisions of Law Address Educational
Challenges
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Schools must identify students in homeless
situations.
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Identification
Administer SRQ to every student
Several people trained to identify students
Use of volunteers
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Key Provisions of Law Address Educational
Challenges
Immediate Enrollment
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Immediate Enrollment
Enroll homeless students even if they have no
records or legal guardian
Enroll homeless students even if they have no
proof of residency
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Key Provisions of Law Address Educational
Challenges
Immediate Enrollment
Choice of Schools
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Choice of Schools
School of origin school in which student was
enrolled when he/she became homeless or where
student was last enrolled.
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Choice of Schools
Homeless students may remain at school of origin
or may attend school to which they are zoned.
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Choice of Schools
Notify all parents upon enrollment that in
certain instances, their children may be able to
remain at their school all year -- be sure to ask
before changing schools.
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Choice of Schools
Before student withdraws, ask questions to
determine if they have the right to remain
at their school.
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Key Provisions of Law Address Educational
Challenges
Immediate Enrollment
Choice of Schools
Transportation
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Transportation
Homeless students have the right to comparable
transportation
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Transportation
Must be provided to and from the school of origin.
Split costs between districts if agreement cannot
be reached.
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Transportation
Develop a contract
Include important information
Pick-up drop points and times
Bus drivers contact info
Each partys responsibilities
Signatures
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Key Provisions of Law Address Educational
Challenges
Immediate Enrollment
Choice of Schools
Transportation
Services
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Placement Decisions
Work with Title I, Special Ed, and other programs
Set up systems for prompt placement in special
programs
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Key Provisions of Law Address Educational
Challenges
Immediate Enrollment
Choice of Schools
Transportation
Services
Free Lunch
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Free Lunch
Immediate access
Appoint several contacts on each campus to notify
school nutrition program in writing
Homeless liaison can send master list on
monthly basis
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Key Provisions of Law Address Educational
Challenges
Immediate Enrollment
Choice of Schools
Transportation
Services
Free Lunch
Dispute Resolution
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Dispute Resolution
Enroll students if possibly homeless
Gather information, then make determination of
status
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Dispute Resolution
If homeless, student remains enrolled
Notify parent/caregiver/youth in writing of
decision
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Dispute Resolution
If not homeless, parents must be notified in
writing of decision
Written decision must include
information on how to appeal
During appeal, student may remain in district
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Key Provisions of Law Address Educational
Challenges
Immediate Enrollment
Choice of Schools
Transportation
Services
Free Lunch
Dispute Resolution
Awareness
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Awareness
Staff training
Visit sites where homeless students stay
Poverty simulation
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Other Ideas??
Other Questions??
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Case Studies